Staff Picks: Our 10 Preferred Places for Poutine

Hearty Canadians embrace our less-than-tropical climate by bundling up in layers and chowing down on that classic Quebecois delicacy known as poutine. This holy trinity of French fries, cheese curds and gravy is served up hot—and with occasional delicious variations—at these ten Toronto eateries.

Poutine connoisseurs know good cheese curds squeak against the teeth when bitten. Those are the kinds of curds blended into <a href="http://www.poutini.com" target="_blank">Poutini’s</a> creations, which come with beef, vegetarian or gluten-free gravy. They also have vegan poutine and 100 per cent biodegradable containers to silence your conscience. 1112 Queen St. W., 647-342-3732.<br /> <br /> <p style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Lucas Richarz</p>

Star chef and owner Mark McEwan wasn’t afraid to put poutine on the menu at <a href="http://www.where.ca/toronto/guide_listing~listing_id~372.htm" target="_blank">Bymark</a>, his top-of-the-line Financial District restaurant, but he has tweaked the ingredients a bit. That is, if you consider butter-braised lobster and Béarnaise sauce “a bit". Toronto Dominion Centre,<br /> 66 Wellington St. W., 416-777-1144.

<a href="http://www.burgershoppe.com" target="_blank">BQM Diner</a> has a classic diner feel with its open kitchen, jukebox and blue booths, which admittedly aren’t the roomiest you’ll ever find. Classic poutine is on the menu, but you can layer on other toppings like caramelized onions, pulled pork and grilled chorizo. 354 Queen St. W., 416-792-7792.

The French fries at <a href="http://www.bigsmokeburger.com" target="_blank">Big Smoke</a> are hand-cut everyday and topped with Ontario cheese curds and smothered with hot gravy. A flavourful feast that rivals the burgers that made this place a major player in the city’s battle for burger supremacy. 50 King St. E., 416-947-9500 and 573 King St. W., 416-596-6660.

Leave it to the creative minds at <a href="http://www.where.ca/toronto/guide_listing.cfm?listing_id=6625" target="_blank">Beast</a> to create a poutine composed of fried gnocchi, mushroom ragu, crème fraîche and cheese curds. For some, this recipe might be lacking in too many "traditional" ingredients to officially qualify as poutine, but rest assured, like all good bowls of fried potatoes and curds, it's hearty, gooey and oh so tasty. 96 Tecumseth St., 647-352-6000.

Sometimes you can’t confine the flavour of poutine to a mere bowl. Oliver and Bonacini restaurant <a href="http://www.where.ca/toronto/guide_listing.cfm?listing_id=7200" target="_blank">Bannock</a> took that idea to heart, added a bit of <em>extra</em> Canadiana, and came up with their signature poutine pizza, topped with curds, fries and roast duck. 401 Bay St., 416-861-6996.<br /> <br /> <p style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Garrison McArthur Photographers</p>